LAHORE, Jan 19: Government has not taken any decision to unbundle the gas distribution companies, said Federal Secretary, Privatization, Ahmad Waqar, here on Monday.

Speaking at a roadshow held for the sale of Sui Southern Gas Company's five per cent shares, he said studies on the possibilities of unbundling of companies were being conducted since 2000.

Yet, Mr Waqar added, no decision had so far been made in this regard. He said privatization was one of the key elements of government's economic policies and reforms agenda.

He said the Privatization Commission was carrying out a two-pronged strategy through strategic sale and divestment of the shares through stock market. The privatization secretary said, of a total of privatization of state-owned enterprises worth Rs42 billion made so far, Rs15 billion was generated through floating shares in the stock market.

He said that privatization of PIA, PPL and Kapco would be carried out in near future. Speaking on the occasion, SSGC Managing Director Munawwar Baseer said the subscription date for SSGC's five per cent shares was February 9-11. He said that a 'greenshoe option' for another five per cent shares was also available in case of oversubscription.

HBL SELL-OFF: Mr Waqar said the privatization of Habib Bank Limited was held in a fair and transparent manner. Talking to reporters, the privatization secretary he said the party presently trying to make the HBL privatization a controversial issue was not pre-qualified for bidding due to what he said "its non-serious attitude."